THT to improve Sexual Health in Brighton and Hove

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) launches Brighton STI Testing Week in bid to improve city’s sexual health.

RESIDENTS in Brighton and Hove will be encouraged to take free STI tests from sexual health and HIV charity THT as part of the city’s STI Testing Week at the end of June.

Following the success of National HIV Testing Week, THT will be running pop-up STI screening clinics offering chlamydia and gonorrhoea tests at a variety of community settings and venues across the city from 29 June until 5th July.

Ben Tooke, Senior Engagement Officer at Terrence Higgins Trust in Brighton, said: “STI screening methods are quick and easy and simply require a swab and urine sample. We hope Brighton STI Testing Week will encourage STI testing, promote awareness of the services that are currently available throughout the year, and increase public knowledge on how to prevent onward transmission of STIs. Many people are still unaware that STIs do not always display symptoms and that infection can occur through the mouth. Whatever the result we are here to provide advice and support.”

The majority of STI testing will take place at Terrence Higgins Trust’s centre on Ship Street and the Claude Nicol Clinic, although other venues including the Brighton Sauna on Marine Parade will also provide STI testing.

Brighton and Hove has a high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections with certain groups particularly affected including men who have sex with men (MSM), Black Minority Ethnic communities and young people.

Latest figures show 1,747 people in Brighton and Hove were diagnosed with STIs per 100,000 of the population, higher than the national average of 832, however this could be attributed to increased STI testing in Brighton and Hove.

Diagnosis rate for young people with chlamydia is also higher in the city compared to the national average, with 3,133 per 100,000 of the population diagnosed with chlamydia compared to a national average of 2,016.

However, rates of chlamydia screening are again higher in Brighton and Hove, which may explain why the diagnosis rate for the city is higher than the national average.